Volumetric light emitting device

Abstract

A volumetric light emitting device includes a substrate, a semiconductor light emitting diode disposed on the substrate and a reflector ring extending axially from the substrate. The reflector ring defines a first volume bounded by the substrate, an inner wall of the reflector ring, and a terminal plane at a distal end of the reflector ring. An encapsulant fills the first volume and encapsulates the semiconductor light emitting diode. A volumetric light conversion element surrounds the reflector ring and the first volume wherein the volumetric light conversion element is adapted to down-convert light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting diode at a first wavelength and emit the down-converted light at a second wavelength. A second volume of encapsulant or scattering material extends axially between the terminal plane and the volumetric light conversion element.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A volumetric light emitting device comprising:
 a substrate; 
 at least one semiconductor light emitting diode disposed on the substrate; 
 a reflector ring extending axially from the substrate and surrounding the at least one semiconductor light emitting diode, the reflector ring defining a first volume bounded by the substrate, an inner wall of the reflector ring, and a terminal plane at a distal end of the reflector ring; 
 an encapsulant filling the first volume and encapsulating the at least one semiconductor light emitting diode; 
 a volumetric light conversion element surrounding the reflector ring and the first volume wherein the volumetric light conversion element is adapted to down-convert light emitted from the at least one semiconductor light emitting diode at a first wavelength and emit the down-converted light at a second wavelength; and 
 a second volume of encapsulant or scattering material extending axially between the terminal plane and the volumetric light conversion element. 
 
     
     
       2. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 1  wherein the volumetric light conversion element comprises a resin with phosphor particles dispersed therein. 
     
     
       3. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 1  wherein the second volume is one of a dome, a hemisphere, a cone, a cylinder, a frustoconical shape, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       4. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 1  further comprising an upper reflector spaced axially from the terminal plane and providing an upper boundary for the volumetric light conversion element. 
     
     
       5. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 4  wherein the upper reflector includes one of a dome, a hemisphere, a cone, a cylinder, a frustoconical shape, or any combination thereof extending axially into the volumetric light conversion element. 
     
     
       6. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 4  wherein the upper reflector includes one of a dome, a hemisphere, a cone, a cylinder, a frustoconical shape, or any combination thereof extending axially into the second volume. 
     
     
       7. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 4  wherein a surface of the upper reflector away from the volumetric light conversion element includes a cavity to facilitate heat dissipation. 
     
     
       8. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 3  wherein the second volume comprises at least one third heat dissipation volume extending into the volumetric light conversion element. 
     
     
       9. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 1  wherein a surface area of the volumetric light conversion element includes at least one of a rib, a wave, an arc, a hemisphere or a cone. 
     
     
       10. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 1  wherein the second volume comprises a scattering material. 
     
     
       11. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 10  wherein the scattering material comprises titanium oxide. 
     
     
       12. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 10  wherein the scattering material comprises a density mix distributed in a gradient with the lowest density adjacent the first volume. 
     
     
       13. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 10  wherein the scattering material comprises a first lower density and higher second density and the first lower density is adjacent the first volume. 
     
     
       14. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 1  wherein the second volume comprises an encapsulant. 
     
     
       15. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 1  comprising multiple semiconductor light emitting diodes arranged concentrically on the substrate. 
     
     
       16. A volumetric light emitting device comprising:
 a substrate; 
 at least one semiconductor light emitting diode (LED) disposed on the substrate; 
 an encapsulant enveloping and encapsulating the at least one semiconductor LED; and 
 a volumetric light conversion element surrounding the encapsulant wherein the volumetric light conversion element is adapted to down-convert light emitted from the at least one semiconductor LED at a first wavelength and emit the down-converted light at a second wavelength 
 wherein the interface between the encapsulant and the volumetric light conversion element is one of a dome, a hemisphere, a cone, or any combination thereof so as to provide an enlarged surface area at the interface. 
 
     
     
       17. The volumetric light emitting device of  claim 16  wherein the substrate includes a reflective surface.